insurance Archives - Northwest Public Broadcasting

Lewiston-based insurance company pulled Asotin MedAdvantage plans, citing growing financial pressure

By Rachel Sun April 15, 2025

In Asotin County, Washington, just over a quarter of the population is 65 or older. This year, a locally based insurance provider pulled its Medicare Advantage plans in the county. Read More

What to do if your insurance company says your home has too much wildfire risk

By Courtney Flatt February 11, 2025

A white two-story house with a red roof is surrounded by black ground. There is a green pine tree to othe right of the photo. The sky appears to be a hazy blue-gray color.

A home and outbuildings didn’t burn during a fast-moving fire. Some people are worrying more about homeowners policy cancellations in Washington state, as wildfire risk grows. (Credit: Bryan Flint / […]Read More

Workers at PeaceHealth feel their access to health care is limited with new insurer

By Lauren Gallup January 21, 2025

A photo at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham during National Nurses Week in 2021.

When employees at PeaceHealth hospitals around the state need a prescription filled for themselves or a family member, they can get them filled at PeaceHealth pharmacies for lower costs. It’s one of the benefits of the health care organization's insurance plan for its employees. But in Bellingham, Washington, PeaceHealth workers can’t use that benefit. There isn’t a Read More

Kaiser: Some small group plans will still have First Fill requirement

By Rachel Sun October 31, 2023

Kaiser Permanente is set to remove its First Fill requirement for large group plans in Washington next year. However, the program will remain in place for some small group plans. Rachel Sun reports.Read More

New flood management plan considers more flooding types

By Lauren Gallup October 19, 2023

In Pierce County, levee setbacks have been completed along rivers, including the Puyallup. This picture shows the river running near the Orville Road Setback Revetment. Projects like these are included in the new flood hazard management plan. (Credit: Lauren Gallup / NWPB)

After about five years in the works, the Pierce County Council adopted a new Comprehensive Flood Hazard Management Plan that broadens the scope of what kinds of flooding the county will plan for – from coastal to urban flooding. Angela Angove is the floodplain and watershed services manager with Pierce County Planning and Public Works. She said different types of Read More

Want To Opt-Out Of Washington’s New Long-Term Care Tax? Good Luck Getting A Private Policy In Time

By Austin Jenkins August 31, 2021

In 2019, the Washington Legislature passed a first-in-the-nation law to create a state-run long-term care program. Washington workers have until November 1 of this year to opt out of buying private insurance. But the private market has temporarily stopped selling plans after being inundated with applications.

Long-term care insurance companies have temporarily halted sales in Washington. The move follows a frenzy of interest in the costly insurance policies prompted by a November 1 deadline to opt out of a new state-run long-term care program.Read More

Think Your Health Care Costs Are Covered? Beware The ‘Junk’ Insurance Plan

By NPR News December 4, 2020

Whether you're looking for coverage online or through a broker, be sure to note the difference between a comprehensive health plan and a "junk" plan with limited benefits and coverage restrictions.Read More

Across The West, Millions Of Homes Are At Risk Of Wildfires, But It’s Rarely Disclosed

By NPR News October 22, 2020

A real estate sign is seen in front of a burning home during the Carr Fire in Redding, Calif., in 2018. More than 1,600 buildings reportedly were destroyed. Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images

Many homeowners who lost everything in a wildfire had no idea they were at risk. Only two states require disclosing wildfire risk to buyers in the house hunting process.Read More

Some Auto Insurers Are Sending Refunds To Customers As Crash Rate Falls

By NPR News April 8, 2020

The pandemic is keeping cars parked, which means fewer crashes — and big savings for auto insurers. Allstate and American Family Insurance have decided to return that extra cash to customers. CREDIT: Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images

The pandemic is keeping cars parked, which means fewer crashes — and big savings for auto insurers. Allstate, American Family Insurance and Geico have decided to return that extra cash to customers. Read More

Washington Insurance Commissioner Wants New Law To Stabilize Health Market

By Steve Jackson January 9, 2018

Washington's Insurance Commissioner is proposing legislation that would establish a so-called “reinsurance” program he says will provide stability in the market and lower individual premium costs. Read More

Insurer Fined For Charging Wash. Students Incorrect Rates

By Sueann Ramella January 26, 2012

Washington State University students were among those charged incorrect rates by Unicare Life and Health Insurance. PUBLIC DOMAIN / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington state insurance commissioner […]Read More